scholarly journals GABAA- and glycine-mediated inhibitory modulation of the cough reflex in the caudal nucleus tractus solitarii of the rabbit

2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (3) ◽  
pp. L570-L580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elenia Cinelli ◽  
Ludovica Iovino ◽  
Fulvia Bongianni ◽  
Tito Pantaleo ◽  
Donatella Mutolo

Cough-related sensory inputs from rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) and C fibers are processed by second-order neurons mainly located in the caudal nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). Both GABAA and glycine receptors have been proven to be involved in the inhibitory control of second-order cells receiving RAR projections. We investigated the role of these receptors within the caudal NTS in the modulation of the cough reflex induced by either mechanical or chemical stimulation of the tracheobronchial tree in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rabbits. Bilateral microinjections (30–50 nl) of the receptor antagonists bicuculline and strychnine as well as of the receptor agonists muscimol and glycine were performed. Bicuculline (0.1 mM) and strychnine (1 mM) caused decreases in peak abdominal activity and marked increases in respiratory frequency due to decreases in both inspiratory time (Ti) and expiratory time (Te), without concomitant changes in arterial blood pressure. Noticeably, these microinjections induced potentiation of the cough reflex consisting of increases in the cough number associated with decreases either in cough-related Ti after bicuculline or in both cough-related Ti and Te after strychnine. The effects caused by muscimol (0.1 mM) and glycine (10 mM) were in the opposite direction to those produced by the corresponding antagonists. The results show that both GABAA and glycine receptors within the caudal NTS mediate a potent inhibitory modulation of the pattern of breathing and cough reflex responses. They strongly suggest that disinhibition is one important mechanism underlying cough regulation and possibly provide new hints for novel effective antitussive strategies.

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (8) ◽  
pp. R976-R983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Mutolo ◽  
Fulvia Bongianni ◽  
Elenia Cinelli ◽  
Maria Grazia Giovannini ◽  
Tito Pantaleo

The caudal nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS), the predominant site of termination of cough-related afferents, has been shown to be a site of action of some centrally acting antitussive agents. A role of ERK1/2 has been suggested in acute central processing of nociceptive inputs. Because pain and cough share similar features, we investigated whether ERK1/2 activation could also be involved in the central transduction of tussive inputs. For this purpose, we undertook the present research on pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rabbits by using microinjections (30–50 nl) of an inhibitor of ERK1/2 activation (U0126) into the cNTS. Bilateral microinjections of 25 mM U0126 caused rapid and reversible reductions in the cough responses induced by both mechanical and chemical (citric acid) stimulation of the tracheobronchial tree. In particular, the cough number and peak abdominal activity decreased. Bilateral microinjections of 50 mM U0126 completely suppressed the cough reflex without affecting the Breuer-Hering inflation reflex, the pulmonary chemoreflex, and the sneeze reflex. These U0126-induced effects were, to a large extent, reversible. Bilateral microinjections of 50 mM U0124, the inactive analog of U0126, at the same cNTS sites had no effect. This is the first study that provides evidence that ERK1/2 activation within the cNTS is required for the mediation of cough reflex responses in the anesthetized rabbit. These results suggest a role for ERK1/2 in the observed effects via nontranscriptional mechanisms, given the short time involved. They also may provide hints for the development of novel antitussive strategies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (11) ◽  
pp. R1358-R1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Mutolo ◽  
Elenia Cinelli ◽  
Fulvia Bongianni ◽  
Tito Pantaleo

The caudal nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is the main central station of cough-related afferents and a strategic site for the modulation of the cough reflex. The similarities between the characteristics of central processing of nociceptive and cough-related inputs led us to hypothesize that galanin, a neuropeptide implicated in the control of pain, could also be involved in the regulation of the cough reflex at the level of the NTS, where galanin receptors have been found. We investigated the effects of galanin and galnon, a nonpeptide agonist at galanin receptors, on cough responses to mechanical and chemical (citric acid) stimulation of the tracheobronchial tree. Drugs were microinjected (30–50 nl) into the caudal NTS of pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rabbits. Galnon antitussive effects on cough responses to the mechanical stimulation of the airway mucosa via a custom-built device were also investigated. Bilateral microinjections of 1 mM galanin markedly decreased cough number, peak abdominal activity, and increased cough-related total cycle duration. Bilateral microinjections of 1 mM galnon induced mild depressant effects on cough, whereas bilateral microinjections of 10 mM galnon caused marked antitussive effects consistent with those produced by galanin. Galnon effects were confirmed by using the cough-inducing device. The results indicate that galanin receptors play a role in the inhibitory control of the cough reflex at the level of the caudal NTS and provide hints for the development of novel antitussive strategies.


2002 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qihai Gu ◽  
Lu-Yuan Lee

To determine whether the excitabilities of pulmonary C fibers to chemical and mechanical stimuli are altered by CO2-induced acidosis, single-unit pulmonary C-fiber activity was recorded in anesthetized, open-chest rats. Transient alveolar hypercapnia (HPC) was induced by administering CO2-enriched gas mixture (15% CO2, balance air) via the respirator inlet for 30 s, which rapidly lowered the arterial blood pH from a baseline of 7.40 ± 0.01 to 7.17 ± 0.02. Alveolar HPC markedly increased the responses of these C-fiber afferents to several chemical stimulants. For example, the C-fiber response to right atrial injection of the same dose of capsaicin (0.25–1.0 μg/kg) was significantly increased from 3.07 ± 0.70 impulses/s at control to 8.48 ± 1.52 impulses/s during HPC ( n = 27; P < 0.05), and this enhanced response returned to control within ∼10 min after termination of HPC. Similarly, alveolar HPC also induced significant increases in the C-fiber responses to right atrial injections of phenylbiguanide (4–8 μg/kg) and adenosine (0.2 mg/kg). In contrast, HPC did not change the response of pulmonary C fibers to lung inflation. Furthermore, the peak response of these C fibers to capsaicin during HPC was greatly attenuated when the HPC-induced acidosis was buffered by infusion of bicarbonate (1.36–1.82 mmol · kg−1 · min−1 for 35 s). In conclusion, alveolar HPC augments the responses of these afferents to various chemical stimulants, and this potentiating effect of CO2 is mediated through the action of hydrogen ions on the C-fiber sensory terminals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3929
Author(s):  
Chi-Li Chung ◽  
You Shuei Lin ◽  
Nai-Ju Chan ◽  
Yueh-Yin Chen ◽  
Chun-Chun Hsu

The activation of capsaicin-sensitive lung vagal (CSLV) afferents can elicit airway reflexes. Hypersensitivity of these afferents is known to contribute to the airway hypersensitivity during airway inflammation. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been suggested as a potential therapeutic agent for airway hypersensitivity diseases, such as asthma, because of its relaxing effect on airway smooth muscle and anti-inflammatory effect. However, it is still unknown whether H2S affects airway reflexes. Our previous study demonstrated that exogenous application of H2S sensitized CSLV afferents and enhanced Ca2+ transients in CSLV neurons. The present study aimed to determine whether the H2S-induced sensitization leads to functional changes in airway reflexes and elevates the electrical excitability of the CSLV neurons. Our results showed that, first and foremost, in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats, the inhalation of aerosolized sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a donor of H2S; 5 mg/mL, 3 min) caused an enhancement in apneic response evoked by several stimulants of the CSLV afferents. This enhancement effect was found 5 min after NaHS inhalation and returned to control 30 min later. However, NaHS no longer enhanced the apneic response after perineural capsaicin treatment on both cervical vagi that blocked the conduction of CSLV fibers. Furthermore, the enhancing effect of NaHS on apneic response was totally abolished by pretreatment with intravenous HC-030031 (a TRPA1 antagonist; 8 mg/kg), whereas the potentiating effect was not affected by the pretreatment with the vehicle of HC-030031. We also found that intracerebroventricular infusion pretreated with HC-030031 failed to alter the potentiating effect of NaHS on the apneic response. Besides, the cough reflex elicited by capsaicin aerosol was enhanced by inhalation of NaHS in conscious guinea pigs. Nevertheless, this effect was entirely eliminated by pretreatment with HC-030031, not by its vehicle. Last but not least, voltage-clamp electrophysiological analysis of isolated rat CSLV neurons showed a similar pattern of potentiating effects of NaHS on capsaicin-induced inward current, and the involvement of TRPA1 receptors was also distinctly shown. In conclusion, these results suggest that H2S non-specifically enhances the airway reflex responses, at least in part, through action on the TRPA1 receptors expressed on the CSLV afferents. Therefore, H2S should be used with caution when applying for therapeutic purposes in airway hypersensitivity diseases.


1995 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Yan ◽  
A. Laferriere ◽  
C. Zhang ◽  
I. R. Moss

Levels of adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine from the interstitial space at the nucleus tractus solitarii were measured by microdialysis in eight 20- to 25-day-old anesthetized spontaneously breathing piglets. Microdialyzed samples were collected every 30 min for 2 h after the insertion of the probe to ensure stability of purine levels and then during 30 min each of normoxia, hypoxia (10% O2–90% N2), and normoxia. The purines were separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and quantified at 254-nm wavelength. Tidal volume, breathing frequency, minute ventilation, mean arterial blood pressure, pH, and gas tensions were measured. Compared with control, adenosine levels during hypoxia increased by 40.7 +/- 5.5% and then tended to decline during the recovery from hypoxia, but the levels remained higher than in control. Ventilatory measures exhibited a modest biphasic pattern during hypoxia and resumed control values by 10 min after the removal of the hypoxia. The increased adenosine release during hypoxia provides additional evidence for the possible participation of adenosine in the central suppression of breathing during hypoxia.


1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 2380-2386 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Karlsson ◽  
F. B. Sant'Ambrogio ◽  
K. Forsberg ◽  
F. Palecek ◽  
O. P. Mathew ◽  
...  

Prostaglandins (PGs) and bradykinin act as potent respiratory irritants in both normal and asthmatic subjects, but their sites of action are unknown. We compared the cardiorespiratory effects of bradykinin, PGE2, and PGF2 alpha nebulized into the isolated "in situ" larynx, inhaled into the tracheobronchial tree, and injected intravenously in anesthetized spontaneously breathing dogs. Laryngeal administration only resulted in a brief burst of rapid shallow breaths produced by bradykinin (1,000 micrograms/ml) in one of five dogs. Tracheobronchial administration of bradykinin (1,000 micrograms/ml) increased breathing rate and tidal volume (VT) in four of seven dogs without changing cardiovascular parameters, whereas PGE2 (500 micrograms/ml) caused similar effects in two of six dogs. Lower concentrations of both agents were essentially without effect. PGF2 alpha (50–500 micrograms/ml) inhaled into the lower airway increased breathing rate, reduced VT, and caused a concentration-dependent bronchoconstriction that was significantly reduced by atropine. Inhaled PGF2 alpha only slightly increased arterial blood pressure (5.8 +/- 2.8%) and heart rate (12.0 +/- 6.4%). Intravenous PGF2 alpha (5 micrograms/kg) increased upper and lower airway resistances, which were accompanied by a decrease in breathing rate and VT, hypertension, and bradycardia. Bradykinin (1 micrograms/kg) and PGE2 (1 and 3 micrograms/kg) produced apnea followed by rapid shallow breathing, bradycardia, and hypotension. These results indicate that the tracheobronchial tree is considerably more responsive to aerosolized bradykinin, PGE2, and PGF2 alpha than the laryngeal region. Moreover, the stronger effects produced by intravascular administration suggest a greater accessibility of rapidly adapting stretch receptors and C-fiber endings from the vascular bed than from the airway lumen.


2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (2) ◽  
pp. R369-R377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan J. Canning ◽  
Nanako Mori

We have previously described the physiological and morphological properties of the cough receptors and their sites of termination in the airways and centrally in the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS). In the present study, we have addressed the hypothesis that the primary central synapses of the cough receptors subserve an essential role in the encoding of cough. We found that cough requires sustained, high-frequency (≥8-Hz) afferent nerve activation. We also found evidence for processes that both facilitate (summation, sensitization) and inhibit the initiation of cough. Sensitization of cough occurs with repetitive subthreshold activation of the cough receptors or by coincident activation of C-fibers and/or nTS neurokinin receptor activation. Desensitization of cough evoked by repetitive and/or continuous afferent nerve activation has a rapid onset (<60 s) and does not differentiate between tussive stimuli, suggesting a central nervous system-dependent process. The cough reflex can also be actively inhibited upon activation of other airway afferent nerve subtypes, including slowly adapting receptors and pulmonary C-fibers. The sensitization and desensitization of cough are likely attributable to the prominent, primary, and unique role of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-dependent signaling at the central synapses of the cough receptors. These attributes may have direct relevance to the presentation of cough in disease and for the effectiveness of antitussive therapies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 93-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elenia Cinelli ◽  
Ludovica Iovino ◽  
Fulvia Bongianni ◽  
Tito Pantaleo ◽  
Donatella Mutolo

Author(s):  
Krista Rantakari ◽  
Olli-Pekka Rinta-Koski ◽  
Marjo Metsäranta ◽  
Jaakko Hollmén ◽  
Simo Särkkä ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs) are at risk of neurodevelopmental impairments that may originate in early NICU care. We hypothesized that early oxygen saturations (SpO2), arterial pO2 levels, and supplemental oxygen (FiO2) would associate with later neuroanatomic changes. Methods SpO2, arterial blood gases, and FiO2 from 73 ELGANs (GA 26.4 ± 1.2; BW 867 ± 179 g) during the first 3 postnatal days were correlated with later white matter injury (WM, MRI, n = 69), secondary cortical somatosensory processing in magnetoencephalography (MEG-SII, n = 39), Hempel neurological examination (n = 66), and developmental quotients of Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS, n = 58). Results The ELGANs with later WM abnormalities exhibited lower SpO2 and pO2 levels, and higher FiO2 need during the first 3 days than those with normal WM. They also had higher pCO2 values. The infants with abnormal MEG-SII showed opposite findings, i.e., displayed higher SpO2 and pO2 levels and lower FiO2 need, than those with better outcomes. Severe WM changes and abnormal MEG-SII were correlated with adverse neurodevelopment. Conclusions Low oxygen levels and high FiO2 need during the NICU care associate with WM abnormalities, whereas higher oxygen levels correlate with abnormal MEG-SII. The results may indicate certain brain structures being more vulnerable to hypoxia and others to hyperoxia, thus emphasizing the role of strict saturation targets. Impact This study indicates that both abnormally low and high oxygen levels during early NICU care are harmful for later neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm neonates. Specific brain structures seem to be vulnerable to low and others to high oxygen levels. The findings may have clinical implications as oxygen is one of the most common therapies given in NICUs. The results emphasize the role of strict saturation targets during the early postnatal period in preterm infants.


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